US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation

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We, the undersigned organizations, urge you to vote no or present on Senate Resolution 408, which condemns the International Court of Justice for ruling that the wall Israel is building in the West Bank is illegal.

As US organizations that support a foreign policy based on human rights and international law, we believe it is important for the Senate to uphold these principles rather than undermine them by condemning their application to current legal issues. The ICJ had jurisdiction to issue an advisory opinion on Israel’s wall after receiving a valid request from the United Nations General Assembly. Its opinion that Israel’s wall in the West Bank is illegal and must be dismantled was based on a sound interpretation of human rights and international law.

It is inappropriate for the Senate to condemn the ICJ for doing its job and to contradict the substance of an ICJ advisory opinion. The advisory opinion states clearly: “All States are under an obligation not to recognize the illegal situation resulting from the construction of the wall and not to render aid or assistance in maintaining the situation created by such construction.” (Para. 163(D).) By actively supporting Israel’s wall, Senate Resolution 408 defies the opinion of the ICJ and demonstrates US unwillingness to take seriously the requirements of human rights and international law.

If passed, Senate Resolution 408 would further isolate US policy toward Israel and Palestine from the international consensus. On July 20, the United Nations General Assembly voted 150 to 6 with 10 abstentions to demand that Israel comply with the ICJ advisory opinion to dismantle its illegal wall in the West Bank. The only countries voting no were the United States, Israel, Australia, Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau. The United States must work with the international community to implement a just and lasting peace based on human rights and international law.

We thank you for your attention to this matter and again strongly urge you to vote no or abstain on Senate Resolution 408.